Compare and contrast cultural and economic characteristics in United States society in the 1920s with the 1950s
Introduction Although the 1920s and the 1950s were two completely different decades for America, the culture and economic state of the time periods had some similarities. Both had new cultural trends never seen before. The economy was boosted by post war prosperity in both time periods. The 1920s and the 1950s were similar time periods, but there were some differences in these decades of American culture and economy. Culture and Economy of the 1920s
A teen using a radio in 1922
The 1920s was a time of great change in american culture. New ideas were becoming more and more popular. One of these ideas was prohibition. Although the alcohol was officially banned, many people still got their hands on it. “ Less than three weeks into the new year, a constitutional amendment took effect that prohibited the manufacture, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages” (Kyvig 1). Women also saw great social reform. In 1920,all women who were american citizens gained the right to vote with the 19th amendment (Kyvig 2). The red scare was just starting in this time period, due to the Bolshevik revolution in russia. This fear of communism was further pushed by Labor strikes in this time (Kyvig 5). The population, which was rapidly growing, moved to more urban areas. “... over 54 million individuals according to census, lived in places described as urban” (Kyvig 8-9). Electricity finally came into the mainstream (Kyvig 43). Radios were more popular than ever, and it became a big source of entertainment (Kyvig 6). Another new and increasingly popular invention of this time was the automobile. Cars were being produced fast and afforibly for the first time. The economy of the 1920s “Boomed until October 1929” (Currel 170). With the urbanization of the population, household appliances were being manufactured and sold more than ever before(Currel 171). This provided jobs, and boosted the already strong post war economy.
An automobile showroom in 1922
Culture and Economy of the 1950s The 1950s were a also a time of cultural and economic change. The Television became popular, and most American families owned at least one. “...Television first began to invade the American living room” (Rose 11). Suburbs also started in this time, with very similar looking houses houses on each block (Rose 11). The first public airliners started in the 1950s, revolutionizing transportation (Rose 11). As great tensions with Russia grew even greater, a new revival of the fear of communism erupted in the United States. With the creation of the atomic, and later hydrogen bomb, fear grew even greater(Rose 25). The thought of the Soviet union being able to destroy entire cities with the press of a button spread fear throughout America. Once again, america saw a solid economy. With the growing popularity of the television, new advertising techniques were being used, and this increased american spending (Halliwell 147). Due to a post war economic boom, Americans were comfortable in this time(Halliwell 149). This meant more spending, and in return, an even better economy. Comparison
Dwight Eisenhower watching a Television in 1952
The 1920s and the 1950s both shared similar patterns economically a culturally. Both time periods experienced a fear of communism, but more extremely in the 1950s. Transportation was revolutionized in both time periods, with cars in the 1920s, and airplanes in the 1950s. New forms of media and entertainment became popular in these times. In the 1920s, the radio was on the rise, with entertainment and news becoming more convenient than ever before. The 1950s also saw a similar change with the Television. The TV was rapidly replacing the radio in American homes. Both the 1920s and the 1950s saw a booming economy. Both time periods came directly after world wars, so there was a good amount of post war prosperity. This led to increased spending in both times by american families. both times saw good economies, and new cultural ideas. Contrast Although there were many similarities between the 1920s and the 1950s, not everything was the same. First of all, the population migration as very different. The people of the 1920s were moving rapidly into the cities. The people of the 1950s were moving into the suburbs, and away from the cities. In the 1920s, there was a fear of communism, but not enough for the average person to worry about a soviet attack. In the 1950s, a soviet attack on america was a both very scary and very realistic problem. Nuclear weapons caused a fear unlike anything the United States had ever felt before. More money was spent on entertainment on entertainment, like cinemas, in the 1920s. With the TV, people didn’t have to leave home as much to be entertained. Conclusion Both the 1920s and the 1950s saw great economic and cultural growth. New technology and post war economic booms led to advancements in both time periods. People of the 1920s, however, were moving toward the cities, unlike the people of the 1950s. Communism was a fear in both times, but more so in the 50s. The culture and economy of the 1920s and the 1950s were similar, but had big differences, too.
Work Cited
Kyvig, David E. Daily Life in; The United States, 1920-1939 Decades of Promise and Pain. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2002, Print.
Rose, Lisle A. The Cold War Comes to Main Street, America in 1950. Lawrence, Kansas: University Press of Kansas, 1999, print.
Introduction
Although the 1920s and the 1950s were two completely different decades for America, the culture and economic state of the time periods had some similarities. Both had new cultural trends never seen before. The economy was boosted by post war prosperity in both time periods. The 1920s and the 1950s were similar time periods, but there were some differences in these decades of American culture and economy.
Culture and Economy of the 1920s
The 1920s was a time of great change in american culture. New ideas were becoming more and more popular. One of these ideas was prohibition. Although the alcohol was officially banned, many people still got their hands on it. “ Less than three weeks into the new year, a constitutional amendment took effect that prohibited the manufacture, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages” (Kyvig 1). Women also saw great social reform. In 1920,all women who were american citizens gained the right to vote with the 19th amendment (Kyvig 2). The red scare was just starting in this time period, due to the Bolshevik revolution in russia. This fear of communism was further pushed by Labor strikes in this time (Kyvig 5). The population, which was rapidly growing, moved to more urban areas. “... over 54 million individuals according to census, lived in places described as urban” (Kyvig 8-9). Electricity finally came into the mainstream (Kyvig 43). Radios were more popular than ever, and it became a big source of entertainment (Kyvig 6). Another new and increasingly popular invention of this time was the automobile. Cars were being produced fast and afforibly for the first time. The economy of the 1920s “Boomed until October 1929” (Currel 170). With the urbanization of the population, household appliances were being manufactured and sold more than ever before(Currel 171). This provided jobs, and boosted the already strong post war economy.
Culture and Economy of the 1950s
The 1950s were a also a time of cultural and economic change. The Television became popular, and most American families owned at least one. “...Television first began to invade the American living room” (Rose 11). Suburbs also started in this time, with very similar looking houses houses on each block (Rose 11). The first public airliners started in the 1950s, revolutionizing transportation (Rose 11). As great tensions with Russia grew even greater, a new revival of the fear of communism erupted in the United States. With the creation of the atomic, and later hydrogen bomb, fear grew even greater(Rose 25). The thought of the Soviet union being able to destroy entire cities with the press of a button spread fear throughout America. Once again, america saw a solid economy. With the growing popularity of the television, new advertising techniques were being used, and this increased american spending (Halliwell 147). Due to a post war economic boom, Americans were comfortable in this time(Halliwell 149). This meant more spending, and in return, an even better economy.
Comparison
The 1920s and the 1950s both shared similar patterns economically a culturally. Both time periods experienced a fear of communism, but more extremely in the 1950s. Transportation was revolutionized in both time periods, with cars in the 1920s, and airplanes in the 1950s. New forms of media and entertainment became popular in these times. In the 1920s, the radio was on the rise, with entertainment and news becoming more convenient than ever before. The 1950s also saw a similar change with the Television. The TV was rapidly replacing the radio in American homes. Both the 1920s and the 1950s saw a booming economy. Both time periods came directly after world wars, so there was a good amount of post war prosperity. This led to increased spending in both times by american families. both times saw good economies, and new cultural ideas.
Contrast
Although there were many similarities between the 1920s and the 1950s, not everything was the same. First of all, the population migration as very different. The people of the 1920s were moving rapidly into the cities. The people of the 1950s were moving into the suburbs, and away from the cities. In the 1920s, there was a fear of communism, but not enough for the average person to worry about a soviet attack. In the 1950s, a soviet attack on america was a both very scary and very realistic problem. Nuclear weapons caused a fear unlike anything the United States had ever felt before. More money was spent on entertainment on entertainment, like cinemas, in the 1920s. With the TV, people didn’t have to leave home as much to be entertained.
Conclusion
Both the 1920s and the 1950s saw great economic and cultural growth. New technology and post war economic booms led to advancements in both time periods. People of the 1920s, however, were moving toward the cities, unlike the people of the 1950s. Communism was a fear in both times, but more so in the 50s. The culture and economy of the 1920s and the 1950s were similar, but had big differences, too.
Work Cited
Kyvig, David E. Daily Life in; The United States, 1920-1939 Decades of Promise and Pain. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2002, Print.
Rose, Lisle A. The Cold War Comes to Main Street, America in 1950. Lawrence, Kansas: University Press of Kansas, 1999, print.
Currell, Susan. American Culture in the 1920s. Edinburgh University Press, 2009. P.169+. Michigan eLibrary. 12 April, 2015
Halliwell, Martin. American Culture in the 1950s. Edinburgh University Press, 2007. P.147+. Michigan eLibrary. 12 April, 2015
Underwood & Underwood. Youthful Radio Expert. 1922.Miscellaneous Items in High Demand. Washington D.C. Library of Congress. April 18th, 2015.
O’Halloran, Thomas. Dwight and Mamie Eisenhower watching a television during the Republican National Convention, Chicago, Illinois. 1952 July. Miscellaneous Items in High Demand. Washington D.C. Library of Congress. April 18, 2015
Automobile showroom. between 1921 and 1922. National Photo Company Collection. Washington D.C. Library of Congress. April 18, 2015